Chapter 1 :
1248 Words
JESSICA BERKELEY.
One thing I have always been so sure about myself, was the fact that I am not the type who does reckless things. At least, there hasn't been any situation where I acted on impulse. Yet here I am, standing in the middle of a crowded Paris airport, clutching my luggage with my heart racing fast as if I just did something bad.
A month. That's how long Regan would be gone for a business trip and of all the months he had to be chosen for a company project, it had to be December - Christmas festive season.
Christmas.
There is no way I will spend the Christmas holidays alone... again. He promised to spend the holidays with me and watch the fireworks together, yet, he was so excited about the project.
Not this year.
I clutch my luggage tighter, glancing at the time on my phone. My taxi will be here soon and I just can't wait to see the surprise on Regan's face when he sees me.
"I bet he'd be so dumbfounded, like he has seen a ghost" I mumble to myself, chuckling.
After five minutes, a taxi pulls over in front of me and apologizes for being a minute late. I settled in and handed him the address to where I am headed.
It's that time of the year again. Christmas!. The streets of Paris are already dressed for it. Golden lights wrapped around lampposts, shop windows sparkled with ornaments and ribbons, laughter and music filled the cold evening air.
I love every bit of it and it has always been my favorite time of the year. The traditions, warmth, love... Christmas makes me feel at home.
"Ma'am, we're here" The driver announced and I realized we're right in front of Le Petite Monde - The hotel Regan is lodging at.
"Merci" I pay him off and wheel my luggage into the luxurious hotel.
The hotel lobby is everything - Luxurious, elegant and glowing with soft golden lights. I approach the front desk, my heels clicking the well tiled floor.
"Good evening, I'm here to see Regan Bowen"
"Hold on, just a minute please"
As I waited, I heard a familiar voice and laughter echoing in the lobby. It caught my attention and I couldn't help but take a quick glance.
Passing through the entrance door is Regan and he isn't alone. His arms are wrapped firmly around two ladies who smiled and giggled flirtatiously around him.
"Regan"
He didn't hear me or maybe the crowd swallowed him up because I suddenly couldn't find him anywhere around. But, I am sure of one thing, I didn't just imagine things.
That was definitely Regan.
Without waiting to get his room number, I push away from the front desk and follow the direction he went, trusting my instincts.
With my suitcase in hand, I moved. It didn't take long for me to find him right in the hotel's boutique shamelessly laughing with the ladies. I knew it was him.. Regan is someone I can recognize even with my eyes closed. I wasn't mistaken.
Standing at the entrance, my chest feels hollow. Like an arrow has been pierced right through it.
He giggles, trailing kisses on their necks while shamelessly s******g their butts.
"This one suits you better" Regan's voice sounded light and playful.
The second lady leans against him and pouts.." That's not fair, Regan.. you promised me something too"
A naughty smirk spread across his face.
"Depends" He says smoothly, fastening the necklace around the neck of the first lady. ".. On how well you satisfy me tonight"
That being said, my legs move on their own free will. I don't remember the moment I dropped my suitcase and the exact moment my hands connected with his face. But, the sharp sound echoes through the boutique, leaving the ladies stunned.
Everything went silent, eyes turned towards our direction and low gasps spread across the room.
Regan staggers back, stunned.
"Jessica?"
"You.." My voice broke but I'm forced to make it steady. "You don't get to say my name"
The ladies stepped back immediately, exchanging awkward glances.
"Jess, I can explain"
"Don't..."I point accusingly at him. "This is what you do uh? Flirt around with girls, buy them jewelry and plan for a special night? Did you lie to me about the project?"
"Jessica?.."
"Was the project a lie?"
For a moment, Regan did not respond nor did he try to prove the project wasn't a made up story.
"You know I am here for work, Jess. But, this.. I need to cool off, the least you can do is understand"
My brows rose in disbelief and I scoff at his manner of defense.
"You wanted to cool off? What happened to cooling off with me? We planned this holiday together but you left saying the project was important and I flew all the way here just to surprise you and now this?"
"That's it, Jess. The fact that you showed up here unannounced is the problem. You were bound to see this for making a stupid surprise trip down to Paris"
"Regan?"
"What? It isn't a lie. If you had told me you were coming, none of these would have happened. If you had just stayed put and not gotten obsessed over spending the holidays together, none of this would have happened, don't you get it?"
I nibble on my lower lip, my fist clenching and unclenching. His words leave my heart shattered. They felt heavier than ever and it breaks me to think that the man I trusted could cheat on me with girls way younger than I am.
That moment, I realize how stupid I've been trusting and hoping he could be different from the rest.
His ignorance and refusal to accept that he cheated shows me how less he thought about my existence. Perhaps, my feelings never mattered to him.
Perhaps also, I was just one of his numerous flings.
"I flip my hair backwards, my eyes darting to the ladies, then back at him.
"Listen Jess, let's talk and settle this amicably" He tried to touch me but a harsh glare from me, he retreated.
"You know what?.." I slide the promise ring he once gave me off my finger and toss it across to him. "I'm done" I say quietly.
"It's over, Regan" I let the words roll out of my lips, watching the look of displeasure settle on his face.
"Don't be dramatic, Jessica.. It hasn't gotten to that point" He grabs my arm. “You can't break up with me like that. You have no right to”
I pull my hand off, and that's it. The biggest mistake he ever made. I didn't think twice, but drove my knee straight into his stomach.
Doubling over with a grunt, the slap that follows the hit was louder. Gasps fill the room.
Phones are out now with people whispering.
Regan looks around, embarrassed.
“You're embarrassing me” He mutters.
I step closer, my voice dropping.
“You cheated on me..”
His eyes turn cold but I don't care. Silence stirs between us - thick.
Then..
“Police! Step aside”
Two officers rush in through the crowds and seeing the officers, Regan points accusing fingers at me, holding his cheeks which had my fingers marked on it.
“She attacked me first, Officers”
I let out a short laugh.
“Of course!”
- Writer
